Members of the Portland Public Schools Board of Education approved a motion to offer a semester-long debate class at Portland High School at Monday's meeting.

The class will be available for each grade and will help them develop analytical and critical thinking skills, impromptu speaking techniques and logic, according to a sample syllabi each board member received. Students will be expected to interpret phrases and words in a number of formats, write arguments supporting their analysis and informative texts that convey ideas and information clearly, cite strong evidence in support of their analysis and evaluate the point of view, reasoning and evidence of a speaker, among other assignments.

Debate tournaments, creating portfolios and reviewing key concepts are also items listed on the weekly agenda of the syllabi.

In more news, board members Patrick Duff and Brian Pohl took a new oath of office after being re-elected in November. The board also elected its officials, which stayed the same. Justin Hengesbach will remain as board president, Patrick Blake will remain as board vice president, Dan Wallace will continue to be board treasurer and Brian Pohl will keep his title as board secretary.

The board members were also recognized for their hard work in developing policies, balancing a budget and making tough decisions concerning the district and its students.

"Although they wear many hats in the workday world, our school board members put on a collective hat when they get down to business of leading out school district. Our board members pull together as a team and work toward the common goal of helping students achieve," said PPS Superintendent Charles Dumas.